GPS mapping could help track violence along New Bedford's Acushnet Avenue

NEW BEDFORD — Community advocates are envisioning a GPS mapping tool to determine where muggings have occurred on Acushnet Avenue, then using the information to try and reduce them.

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By SIMÓN RIOS

southcoasttoday.com

By SIMÓN RIOS

Posted Apr. 9, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 9, 2014 at 5:38 AM

By SIMÓN RIOS

Posted Apr. 9, 2014 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 9, 2014 at 5:38 AM

» Social News

NEW BEDFORD — Community advocates are envisioning a GPS mapping tool to determine where muggings have occurred on Acushnet Avenue, then using the information to try and reduce them.

The project could help show whether there should be more police in the area, according to Corinn Williams, executive director of the Community Economic Development Center.

"Is there enough attention here in comparison to other parts of the city?" Williams said. "That becomes a policy question and a question for bringing back to the mayor, or the City Council, or the chief of police."

On Tuesday night the CEDC hosted "Take Action on the Avenue" at the Global Learning Charter Public School. The meeting was the third of its kind and based on the three action points identified at previous meetings: cleanliness, a mural on the avenue, and public safety.

Close to 20 people attended the event, which included food and drinks donated by local businesses. After an introduction those gathered broke into three groups to discuss the action points.

Juan Sam, a Guatemalan immigrant who has reported he was attacked twice in three months in the North End, joined the group on public safety. He said he's constantly in fear of being mugged again.

Where other participants talked about the strategic value of having a database on muggings, Juan said it would show "where not to walk.

"We have to work on this," he said in Spanish.

Ina Anderson of the Mass Smart Growth Alliance said mapping areas with concentrations of violence — such as where it occurs close to schools or places of worship — could help mobilize the neighbors.

Anderson's group has joined with the CEDC to assist in community planning efforts along the Avenue. Danny LeBlanc who is with the alliance, is running the meetings. He said public safety is a precursor to further development.

Before creating "a broader array of improvements ...(the need) is to try and create a greater sense of safety in the community," LeBlanc said.

GPS-based mapping is already in use as a tool for urban renewal in New Bedford and across the state. Commonwealth Connect, an app that allows users to report graffiti and track the city's response, was launched over the winter.

Using a mapping tool, activists could identify crime hot spots and point out to residents that they live in high crime areas, said Brian Pastori of Community Economic Development Center.

Pastori said it will likely plug police data into a visual map, although it could also include muggings that weren't reported to police.

But the idea is still nascent and the details need to be hashed out. Will the crime data be retroactive? What kind of resources will it take to make it happen? What platform will be used?

In mid-April a group will meet to discuss future steps for the violence mapping project. Subsequent meetings of "Take Action on the Avenue" will take place in the coming months.